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Catalytic converter thefts rising again and one Toyota model is being targeted, police warn

By
FOX Local
Crime and Public Safety
Published May 11, 2026 1:56 PM MST
Published May 11, 2026 1:56 PM MST
article

The underside of a Toyota Prius where a catalytic converter was stolen by thieves, at Militoâs Auto Repair in Lincoln Park on Aug. 24, 2022. (Victor Hilitski/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The Brief

    • Multiple law enforcement agencies across the country are warning about catalytic converter theft.
    • Some of the agencies noted that Toyota Prius sedans are being targeted because of their light weight.
    • Thieves can steal a catalytic converter in one to three minutes, potentially leaving the vehicle’s owner with a four-digit replacement bill.

Local law enforcement agencies across the country are warning that catalytic converter thefts are on the rise again, and this time they are noting one particular model that thieves are targeting.

Big picture view:

In their new warnings about increasing thefts, both the Annapolis, Maryland, and Madison, Wisconsin, police departments specifically noted the Toyota Prius is often selected by thieves looking to snatch the exhaust part. 

The backstory:

The Annapolis Police Department explained on Instagram that criminals will pick the Toyota model because its light curb weight makes it easier for them to jack up and reach the catalytic converter.

In a social media post, the Houston Police Department did not specifically mention the hybrid sedan, but the video of an apparent theft in progress clearly showed a silver Prius being raised on a jack.

Dig deeper:

Near Seattle, the Mukilteo, Washington Police Department detailed how people can steal a catalytic converter in one to three minutes. They can sell it for scrap and make hundreds of dollars, while the vehicle’s owner could have to pay over a thousand dollars to replace it.

What you can do:

The Whittier, California, Police Department added that the thefts can take a violent turn if someone tries to stop them. Its post detailed the thieves often work in teams and pointed to one incident in its city, which is outside of Los Angeles, where a gun was drawn on a person who tried to interrupt a theft while it was in progress.

Protecting Your Vehicle

The police department advised people to park their vehicles in garages or well-lit areas that are monitored by home video surveillance. They also pointed out that physical protective devices for the catalytic converters can limit potential criminals’ access or make it more difficult for them to take.

The Source: Information for this article was taken from the Annapolis Police Department, the Houston Police Department, the Madison Police Department, and the Whittier Police Department. This story was reported from Orlando.

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